Does Urban Ministry Excite You? We're Hiring!
This post is a rare overlap with my ministry on the Near Westside of Indianapolis. However, since my followers here include a different audience than some of my other networks, I want to promote an exciting opportunity for urban pastoral ministry with us.
We are hiring a second pastor to join us in Indianapolis! I would love to speak with you if you’re interested in pursuing this opportunity. If you know someone who might be a good fit, would you be willing to share the opportunity with them?
Our church planting philosophy is rooted in what we believe is healthy Presbyterianism, which seeks a plurality of voices in ordained leadership. Good Presbyterian polity should lead to a healthy and equitable sharing of power for the good of the church. In our urban context, shared leadership should represent the community in racial and socioeconomic diversity. For this reason, we are intentionally looking to hire a Black or Latino candidate for this role.
This role is designed to fit a wide range of potential candidates. This role could fit current seminary students and young or experienced pastors. Our vision for this candidate is to move into as much of a co-pastoring role as possible.
I am biased, but this is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about urban ministry and committed to the benefits of a contextually Reformed missiology. There are many reasons why I think this is one of the most exciting ministry opportunities that I know of. Our sending church, Redeemer Indianapolis, provides wonderful emotional, spiritual, financial, and structural support. Our core team is a beautiful group of people from several countries, ethnicities, races, backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses. The neighborhood is increasingly a gorgeous mix of nationalities and cultures. It is also at a significant tipping point, which presents many gospel opportunities amidst many challenges. The way we have developed ministry slowly and broadly now gives us many possible directions to grow and build into.
In sum, this is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to proclaim Christ and develop a healthy church ministry in an urban context.
Our neighborhood of Haughville on the Near Westside of Indy is the city’s most historically neglected and underserved neighborhood. Thus, it comes with all the challenges you would expect in an urban midwest city. At the same time, we believe our community is filled with incredible beauty in its place and represented cultures (we have the best restaurants in the city!). Haughville is home to more racial and ethnic groups than any other neighborhood. What began as a community for Eastern European immigrants became a majority Black neighborhood. It is increasingly trending toward a Latino population. We also have neighbors from Haiti, the DRC, India, and Pakistan. There is no other community like it in the city.
Our church worships every 4-6 weeks in the neighborhood, with 40-50 people in each service. We plan to launch weekly worship sometime in the fall. We hoped we would hire this candidate before launching weekly worship, but there is only so long we can delay. In addition to worship services, we have a weekly Bible study at an affordable rate apartment complex, a free legal clinic, reading mentoring, and many other forms of outreach throughout the year. Our Creative Arts Resident is a gifted hip-hop artist making connections in the community with songwriting workshops and performances for youth. Our core team is a wonderful mix of the neighborhood and represents several languages and demographic groups.
You can read more about the opportunity here. There is so much to be excited about. We are eager to continue growing with and around a future pastor who will join our work. Could that be you? Do you know who it might be? Let me know!